Stop dental problems before they happen
Preventive care is our major focus at Dental on Bowen. When you keep up with your regular checkups at our clinic and take good care of your teeth and gums at home, you can help minimise your risk of developing oral health problems.
Why is oral hygiene important?
Your teeth are affected by what you do (and don't do) every day. If you don't brush and floss your teeth properly, don't moderate your intake of sugary and acidic food and drink, and don't avoid risky habits like smoking tobacco, you can be at a higher risk of developing problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
These dental diseases affect millions of Australians and are responsible for 90% of tooth loss, as well as causing pain and discomfort. The good news is they can be prevented when you follow a good oral hygiene routine.
To help your teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible, we recommend that you:
- brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes each time, using fluoride toothpaste
- floss between your teeth every day to remove trapped food and plaque
- follow a healthy diet that limits sugary food and soft drinks
- avoid smoking
- visit your dentist twice a year for your regular check-up.
Regular dental check-ups
To give our dentists the best chance of catching problems before they escalate into something more serious, we recommend that you visit us every 6 months for a comprehensive oral health assessment.
During your appointment, we'll carefully inspect your teeth, gums and mouth to look for any signs that could indicate an oral health problem. This includes tooth decay and cavities, red or swollen gums, loose or broken teeth and damaged dental work such as fillings or crowns. If we do find any problems, we'll discuss all the treatments we offer so you can decide which one is right for you.
We'll also professionally clean your teeth to remove any plaque that's accumulated on the surface, helping to keep decay and gum disease at bay. Combined with regular brushing and flossing and a healthy diet, routine dental appointments help to keep your teeth and gums protected.
Kids' dental care
We can help all your family to look after their oral health with check-ups and treatments specially designed for children.
We recommend that you make an appointment for your child to see our dentists around the time of their first birthday, as this gives us the chance to check that that their teeth are coming through normally and to identify any issues as soon as possible. When your child receives regular dental care from an early age, this can encourage good oral hygiene habits for life.
During your child's appointment, we'll make sure they feel comfortable as we check that their teeth and gums are healthy. We may recommend treatments to help protect and strengthen their teeth against decay, and we'll teach you and your child everything you need to know about taking the best care of their teeth every day.
Some of the preventive dental treatments we may recommend for your child are:
Fissure sealants
Nearly 50% of Australian children have experienced tooth decay by the age of 12. Kids' teeth are at higher risk of decay and cavities than adult teeth, as their enamel is softer and thinner. The back teeth (molars) are especially at risk, as their surfaces have small pits and grooves where food and bacteria can become trapped.
Fissure sealants can be applied to your child's permanent teeth as soon as they appear to fill in these grooves and protect their teeth against decay. When teeth are sealed, they're less likely to need a filling in the future. They can be extremely beneficial, so we'll be sure to walk you through your options if we think fissure sealants are right for your child.
Mouthguards
Playing sport is part of a healthy, active lifestyle, but many sporting activities put your child's teeth at risk of serious injury. This doesn't just apply to contact sports like rugby, football and hockey, but also other pastimes such as cycling, skateboarding and dancing.
A custom-fitted mouthguard provided by your dentist offers the best protection for your child's teeth. We can take an impression of their mouth and produce a mouthguard from durable plastic that's the perfect fit, helping to prevent dental emergencies.
To book a preventive care appointment for you or your family, call our dentists in Goondiwindi today on (07) 4671 1806 or make an appointment online.